Today’s post is for people who like Rap. Period. That’s it. You like bars? You like flows? You like lyrics that make you go ooooh? Then this is for you. If you said no to any of these questions, leave now.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to post this ish yesterday exactly one minute after it was posted! Unfortunately my code-illiterate ass just couldn’t get it to embed. Thankfully, as expected, someone Youtube‘d it and we’re back in business.

THE CYPHER

Yesterday the annual shamefest known as the BET hip-hop awards took place and well, as expected, it was a useless piece of goonery crap that only helped to ensure that those who don’t like hip-hop stay hating. That being said, this award show has provided us with 1 good thing every year and it’s those damn (Rap nerd wet dreams – ‘What if…’) Cyphers. Last years dopest cypher featured Juelz Santana, Fabolous, Ace Hood (Who surprisingly rocked it even though he can’t write a song worth his life) and Jadakiss running a mean anchor. Well, I’m happy to say that this years top cypher nearly made me wet myself. And if it doesn’t make you at least kegal a couple dozen times, then you lied about one of the above questions.

No more talkin. RAP! This one’s gonna have people arguin for a while….

The other 2 cyphers (that were decent, but nowhere near the one above) can be found below:

It seems like the thing to do these days for rappers in their mid-30’s is to find another rapper in their mid-30’s who roughly holds the same stature and combine to make a group. Canibus and Keith Murray. Del the Funky Homosapien and Tame One.DJ Quik and Kurupt. And even though it would seem like all of these would be dope, or at very least entertaining, only the Quik and Kurupt really popped for me (and I’m a Del fan to the core). Well we have another pairing for you and this time, it might just work out. 2 people that have influenced a LOT of your favorite rappers but rarely ever get their mention, ladies and gents, I give you A & E (a.k.a. Masta Ace and Edo G.)

**sidenote — for all you Eminem fans, if you didn’t realize that Em started as a Masta Ace clone you better go do your research. Em’s even copped to it himself.**

MASTA ACE & EDO. G – EI8HT IS ENOUGH

BLAKROC EPISODE #2 ft. Mos Def

We proceed with part 2. Mos hits the studio and the world implodes.

HIP HOP HISTORY w/ RAKIM

An interview 24/7 Hip Hop did with the Teflon Don breaking down the significance of the number 7 in his life, his falling out with Eric B., and a wild story involving Kool G. Rap getting snuffed and Eric B. riding a sheep skin.

BONUS

No MPFrees? Now how could I do that to you. This one’s for the CAPtain to get his blood pumpin.

NEW MADVILLAIN B*TCHES! Courtesy the legendary J-Rocc from the World Famous Beat Junkies.

In the last decade, the once dominant East Coast (Home of everyone from De La Soul to the Notorious B.I.G., the Juice Crew to the Wu-Tang Clan) have struggled to stay on top of the rap food chain as their necessity for cadence and concept has been dwarfed by the Souths ever infectious ‘Bounce’ and ‘Hook’ approach. And well, while living legends Jay-Z and Nas still continue to dominate whenever they appear, the notion of a new East Coast dynasty remains myth like Lebron’s Championship ring.

However, as an over obsessive rap Stan, I’ve noticed something this year that has somehow slipped under the mainstream media’s radar…THE EAST IS BACK! Now I won’t go so far as to say a new Dynasty is on the horizon because quite frankly, outside of a handful of artists, the East is still selling less than the South. But for those who just love themselves some East Coast ish, 2009’s been good to you!

Throughout the history of music there’ve been an abundance of amazing duos. From Eric B. & Rakim to Simon & Garfunkel to Rick James & Eddie Murphy (CLAAASSIC!) it seems that the nature of pairing 2 equally skilled artists together can have an incredibly positive and progressive effect on the quality of the end product. Whether it be because of some intangible chemistry or simply because both artists are doing their best not to be outshone by the other, at very least, duos always give us something to talk about. Well, to continue and contribute to this pattern, here’s a post about a few more new and old classic pairings.

DEF & DOOM

What do you get when you take 2 of Hip-Hop’s most beloved and influential lyricists, both of whom were at one time themselves part of other classic pairings (Black Star & KMD respectively) and you put’em together?

Well…I don’t actually know. But I assume it’d be madness.

Just recently leaked was this youtube footage of Mos Def and what sounds like DOOM behind the camera spitting some potentially new co-written material. As of now, these 2 have never officially released any songs together, but after seeing this, it might be okay to start getting your hopes up.

And if you didn’t see the initial video, this is Mos speaking on the dopeness of DOOM and touching on the genius of De La.

Ghostface has been part of his share of classic pairings. Whether it be himself and the aforementioned DOOM, or with long time Clan member, Raekwon (who he’ll be releasing an album with alongside the rejuvenated Method Man — if you didn’t cop Blackout!2, you need to.), Ghost rarely, if ever, falters on a verse and any rap fan who breathes oxygen knows this.

Well although this isn’t actually a pairing, here’s a clip of Ghost talking about the late-O.D.B. and just what he meant when he said ‘Oooh Baby I like it RAAAW!’